Landmarks of Transportation
Arlington's history has been shaped by technological advancements in transportation, including planes, trains, and automobiles.
Railroads and streetcars played a significant role in the 19th and 20th centuries, connecting Arlington to other cities and towns. Streetcars helped to expand the county's neighborhoods and promote its outward growth. However, as buses became more popular, streetcar lines were gradually removed. Today, the Metro still serves as an important mode of transportation for commuters.
In addition, the rise of cars as a preferred mode of transportation led to the development of large-scale infrastructure such as bridges and parkways.
Finally, Arlington's Reagan National Airport is an important landmark of aviation history and serves as a vital link for visitors.
This tour aims to showcase Arlington's significant transportation sites.
Hoover Field
The airfield was christened Hoover Field (after then-Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover)
In 1925, Thomas Mitten, head of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company, sought to begin daily passenger flights between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. as part of the 150th celebration of the Declaration of Independence.
Finding no appropriate airfield in the District, Mitten selected a new…
View Story Show on Map
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington National Airport was built after a long and bitter controversy. The first legislation for it was introduced in 1927, and it was reintroduced every year for eleven years before it was approved.
In the meantime, a smaller, privately owned Hoover Airport (see separate story) was in…
View Story Show on Map
Arlington’s Autorailer Experiment
Since the first trolley began running in 1896 - from Rosslyn to Fort Myer public transportation has been an important aspect of Arlington’s identity and development.
View Story Show on Map
Washington & Ohio Rail station
People from the hot city of Washington would come out to the country on the train and spend the day at this lively place
On June 13, 1909, The Alexandria Gazette advertised "Sunday Excursions." For $1 DC and Alexandria City folks can buy a round trip day ticket at the Washington & Ohio Rail station for a day excursion into the countryside of northern Virginia including Glencarlyn and Bluemont. The ad…
View Story Show on Map
Interstate 66
I-66 was proposed in 1956 to connect Strasburg, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley with Washington.
During the planning stages, the Virginia Highway Department evaluated several possible locations for the highway inside the Beltway. After considering four options, they finally chose the Fairfax…
View Story Show on Map
Long Bridge
In May 1809, a nearly one mile-long bridge across the Potomac was built to connect Washington and Alexandria. The 5,000-foot long rickety wooden-pile structure, with two draw spans, was considered to be the longest bridge in the United States at the time. On the Washington side, it landed at the…
View Story Show on Map
Aqueduct Bridge
The completed bridge was opened for use on July 4, 1843
The Aqueduct Bridge, termed in the 19th century "a stupendous work," was considered one of the most remarkable engineering achievements of the time.
View Story Show on Map
Francis Scott Key Bridge
The Key Bridge replaced the Aqueduct Bridge which was originally built to carry the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal across the Potomac
On January 17, 1923: the new $2.35 million Francis Scott Key Bridge opened. More commonly known as the Key Bridge, is a six-lane reinforced concrete arch bridge conveying U.S. Route 29 traffic across the Potomac River. Completed in 1923, it is Washington's oldest surviving bridge across the…
View Story Show on Map
Memorial Bridge
Arlington Memorial Bridge and Avenue provide a ceremonial entrance to Washington, DC
On May 6, 1932, Arlington Memorial Bridge opened to traffic. The bridge was symbolically designed to show strength of a united nation by joining the Lincoln Memorial on the north side of the bridge with Arlington House, which had just recently been renamed to include the addition of the Robert E.…
View Story Show on Map
Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
The Roosevelt Bridge carries Interstate 66/U.S. Route 50 traffic over Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Potomac River, linking Washington D.C., and Virginia. The Roosevelt Bridge has Interstate 66/U.S. Route 50 traffic over Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Potomac River, connecting Washington,…
View Story Show on Map